The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 had serious implications for the security of the Black Sea region. Russian actions in the region reduced the Black Sea to a “Russian lake”. To this end, contrary to the provisions of international law, Russia blocked the freedom of navigation of ships in the inland Sea of Azov and the exercise of the right of passage in Ukrainian territorial waters off the coast of Crimea. Since the beginning of hostilities, the Kremlin has